A transitionary council in Haiti has taken action to reestablish democratic order by dismissing interim Prime Minister Garry Conille and appointing Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as his replacement. Fils-Aimé, a former president of Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was previously considered for the position as a private sector candidate. Conille, a longtime civil servant who has worked with the United Nations, served as prime minister for only six months before being removed from his position. The decree announcing this change is set to be published on Monday, further adding to the turmoil in Haiti’s already rocky democratic transition process. The Caribbean nation has not held democratic elections in years due to high levels of gang violence.
The transitional presidential council, established in April, was tasked with selecting Haiti’s next prime minister and Cabinet to bring stability to the country. However, the council has been plagued with politics and infighting, leading to conflicts with Conille. Attempts by organizations such as the Organization of American States to mediate disagreements and save the fragile transition process have been unsuccessful. The dismissal of Conille by the council has faced criticism, with some, like former Justice Minister Bernard Gousse, calling it illegal due to suspicions of corruption within the council.
In October, three members of the transitional council faced corruption accusations, alleging that they demanded bribes to secure a government bank director’s job. This report dealt a significant blow to the credibility of the nine-member council and further eroded people’s trust in its ability to lead the democratic transition process. Despite the corruption allegations, the members accused of bribery, including Smith Augustin, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Louis Gérald Gilles, were among those who signed the decree to replace Conille. The move has raised concerns about the council’s legitimacy and the actions it has taken to reestablish democratic order in Haiti.
The transitionary council’s decision to dismiss Conille and appoint Fils-Aimé as the new interim prime minister marks another chapter in Haiti’s tumultuous path towards democracy. Fils-Aimé, a businessman with experience in the private sector and a failed campaign for Senate in 2015, brings a new perspective to the leadership role. The council’s actions have been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning the legality of the dismissal and others expressing doubts about the council’s ability to effectively navigate the challenges facing Haiti. As the country continues to grapple with gang violence and political instability, the decisions made by the transitional council will have a profound impact on Haiti’s future.
